Liscense vs. License — Which is Correct Spelling?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 2, 2024
"Liscense" is an incorrect spelling; the correct spelling is "license," referring to a permit from an authority to own or use something.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Liscense or License
How to spell License?
Liscense
Incorrect Spelling
License
Correct Spelling
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Key Differences
Use mnemonic: "A license gives you the 'cense' (sense) of permission."
Visualize a driver's license to recall the correct spelling.
Think of the word "silence" and replace the "sil" with "lic."
Remember that "license" follows the "c before s" rule.
Recall "lic-" as the beginning, similar to other words like "licit."
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How Do You Spell License Correctly?
Incorrect: The company was granted a liscense to operate drones.
Correct: The company was granted a license to operate drones.
Incorrect: The restaurant needed a liscense to sell alcohol.
Correct: The restaurant needed a license to sell alcohol.
Incorrect: He was fined for operating without a proper liscense.
Correct: He was fined for operating without a proper license.
Incorrect: She had to renew her driving liscense this year.
Correct: She had to renew her driving license this year.
Incorrect: They applied for a marriage liscense at the city hall.
Correct: They applied for a marriage license at the city hall.
License Definitions
The freedom to act without restrictions.
The artist took creative license in his work.
A document providing evidence of qualifications.
She showed her pilot's license.
Permission to quote copyrighted material.
They have a license to use the song in the movie.
A legal grant of rights to sell a company's product.
The software license allowed users to install the program on multiple computers.
An official permit to do, use, or own something.
He acquired a license to practice law.
Official or legal permission to engage in a regulated activity
"He believed that the subcommittee gave him license to interrogate anyone about any possible links to communism" (Donald A. Ritchie).
A document, card, plate, or tag that is issued as proof of official or legal permission
A driver's license.
A contract allowing someone to use a proprietary product or service
Has a site license for that software.
Freedom of action or permission to act
"Doctors labeled many of the organs of the immune system 'functionless' ... giving surgeons license to remove them with abandon" (Andrew Weil).
Poetic license.
Lack of due restraint; excessive freedom
"It is important to preserve freedom only for people who are willing to practice self-denial, for otherwise freedom degenerates into license and irresponsibility" (Milton Friedman).
Heedlessness for the precepts of proper behavior, especially with regard to sex
"noir stories of the consequences of sexual license" (Foster Hirsch).
An excuse or justification to do something wrong
People who see low-fat labels as a license to eat larger amounts.
To give or yield permission to or for
"Deep down I wondered what licensed me to speak" (Jan Clausen).
To grant a license to or for; authorize.
A legal document giving official permission to do something; a permit.
The legal terms under which a person is allowed to use a product, especially software.
Freedom to deviate deliberately from normally applicable rules or practices (especially in behaviour or speech).
Excessive freedom; lack of due restraint.
To authorize officially.
I am licensed to practice law in this state.
(transitive) (applied to a piece of intellectual property)
To give formal authorization to use.
It was decided to license Wikipedia under the GFDL.
To acquire authorization to use, usually in exchange for compensation.
The filmmakers licensed several iconic 80's songs for the soundtrack.
(transitive) To give permission or freedom to; accept.
To permit (as grammatically correct).
No English adverbs have mandatory complements, and most don't even license optional ones.
Authority or liberty given to do or forbear any act; especially, a formal permission from the proper authorities to perform certain acts or to carry on a certain business, which without such permission would be illegal; a grant of permission; as, a license to preach, to practice medicine, to sell gunpowder or intoxicating liquors.
To have a license and a leave at London to dwell.
The document granting such permission.
Excess of liberty; freedom abused, or used in contempt of law or decorum; disregard of law or propriety.
License they mean when they cry liberty.
That deviation from strict fact, form, or rule, in which an artist or writer indulges, assuming that it will be permitted for the sake of the advantage or effect gained; as, poetic license; grammatical license, etc.
To permit or authorize by license; to give license to; as, to license a man to preach.
A legal document giving official permission to do something
Freedom to deviate deliberately from normally applicable rules or practices (especially in behavior or speech)
Excessive freedom; lack of due restraint;
When liberty becomes license dictatorship is near
The intolerable license with which the newspapers break...the rules of decorum
The act of giving a formal (usually written) authorization
Authorize officially;
I am licensed to practice law in this state
License Meaning in a Sentence
The movie was released under a Creative Commons license.
The pilot needs a license to fly an airplane.
My mom renewed her nursing license online.
My brother just got his fishing license.
Before you open a restaurant, you must obtain a business license.
The contractor showed us his license and insurance.
Without a license, selling food on the street is illegal.
They lost their license for selling to minors.
The software requires a license key to activate.
The city issues a license for pet owners.
The new law requires a license for using drones commercially.
A license plate helps identify vehicles.
A license agreement specifies how software can be used and distributed.
To broadcast music, radio stations need a special license.
A hunting license is mandatory for hunting in most states.
The pharmacist checked her license before giving me the medicine.
Obtaining a marriage license is a step towards getting married.
Your license can be suspended for driving under the influence.
In many places, a bicycle doesn't require a license.
License Idioms & Phrases
Poetic license
The freedom to change or ignore standard rules in order to create art or literature.
The novelist used poetic license to bend historical facts for the story.
Give someone license to do something
To give someone the freedom or permission to do whatever they want.
Giving kids unlimited internet access gives them license to explore without supervision.
Common Curiosities
What is the root word of license?
The root is the Latin word "licentia."
Why is it called license?
It's derived from the Latin word "licentia," meaning "freedom" or "permission."
What is the pronunciation of license?
It's pronounced as /ˈlaɪ.səns/.
What is the verb form of license?
The verb form is "license," as in "to license someone."
Which vowel is used before license?
The letter 'i' is the vowel used before the 'c' in "license."
Which preposition is used with license?
Prepositions like "of," "with," "under," and "for" can be used, depending on context.
Is license a negative or positive word?
"License" is neutral; its connotation depends on context.
How is license used in a sentence?
"Before you can drive, you must obtain a driver's license."
What is the singular form of license?
The singular form is "license."
Which conjunction is used with license?
Any conjunction, like "and" or "or," can be used with "license" based on the sentence structure.
Which article is used with license?
Both "a" and "the" can be used with "license."
Is the word “license” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
"License" can function as a direct object in a sentence, e.g., "He obtained a license."
What is another term for license?
Another term for "license" is "permit."
What is the plural form of license?
The plural form is "licenses."
Is license an adverb?
No, "license" is not an adverb.
Is license a collective noun?
No, "license" is not a collective noun.
How do we divide license into syllables?
Li-cense.
Is license a noun or adjective?
"License" is primarily a noun but can also be used as a verb.
Is license a vowel or consonant?
"License" is a word containing both vowels and consonants.
Is license a countable noun?
Yes, "license" is a countable noun.
Is the word license imperative?
No, "license" is not imperative.
Is the word license a Gerund?
No, "license" is not a gerund.
What is a stressed syllable in license?
The first syllable "Li" is stressed in "license."
What part of speech is license?
"License" is primarily a noun but can also be used as a verb.
What is the opposite of license?
The opposite could be "prohibition" or "restriction."
Which determiner is used with license?
Determiners like "this," "that," "my," and "their" can be used with "license."
What is the first form of license?
The first form is "license" (used as a noun or verb).
What is the second form of license?
For the verb, it is "licensed."
Is license an abstract noun?
Yes, in contexts like "creative license," it's considered abstract.
Is the license term a metaphor?
It can be, as in "poetic license," but typically it's not.
What is the third form of license?
For the verb, it's also "licensed."
How many syllables are in license?
There are two syllables in "license."
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
